Aces North 06 Image Gallery

02 June 2006
FACDU members pictured with a special PC-9

The exercise-flying period is scheduled for 22 May 06 to 14 Jun 06 and will include periods of night and early morning flying however noise minimisation efforts will be taken to avoid disturbance to the residents of Tindal, Darwin and other surrounding Northern Territory communities.

Weekend flying is not scheduled.

The Office Commanding the exercise Group Captain David Steele said: "Exercise ACES NORTH will test and validate the knowledge and skills gained over the last few months of the prospective fighter combat instructors, fighter air defence combat controllers and fighter intelligence officers."

"Whilst the exercise is focussed around these young men and women, it also puts a lot of other Air Combat Group and Surveillance and Response Group assets through their paces at the tactical level. Also, a deployment of this size places a considerable impost on the Combat Support Group elements in place at both RAAF Tindal and Darwin".

"In simple terms, the FCI course will provide the RAAF with the next generation of 'air control' tacticians and practitioners".

20060601raaf8160650_0003 Members from Forward Air Control & Development Unit (FACDU) next to their PC-9 with it's special markings and paint scheme unique to the unit. On wing: L-R Corporal Mick Rand, Leading Aircraftman Mick Prilick, Corporal Brett Cole. Middle row: Corporal Cam Fox, Leading Aircraftman Dale Richardson, Leading Aircraftman Ali Boland, Sergeant Darrell Greig. Front row: Flight Lieutenant Dave Jorgensen, Flight Lieutenant Scott McNichol. (Date taken: 01 June 2006) low-res | high-res